So, what do you think about pitt bulls?are they born bad or is the owner to blame?

Question

I love my pittie! and I trust him, when he came to me he was a shattered wreck of a dog, and violent! but after just a fewmonths he showed progress. now he's 10 and he loves cats and dogs and kids and people, a really happy normal dog, when he came to me he would attack and try to kill almost every thing, I almost put him down! but he does't even look the same now! he was feed beer and made to fight and had a violent owner... so what is it, really, is it nature or nurtue? Can a dog be born Bad? or is it the owners fault?

Answer 1

Its the owners fault.

Answer 2

In situations were the dogs are abused or used for fighting or baiting, i think it's pretty self evident that it is 100% the owner's fault. These people should be jailed, instead of banning Pit bulls.

But if we are talking about the general public, those not invovled in illegal activities or abuse, I would still say it is probably the owners fault. There are many well meaning owners who do not mean harm, but are inadvertantly causing aggression problems (or other problems) with their dogs. Also, may dogs are forced to live in situations that are not ideal for them, and when they do not adapt to the situation, people blame the breed. For example, my Dalmatians are city dogs, but they ideally should be out in the country. Despite my best efforts (including getting a private trainer), they are a constant challenge.

Pits are wonderful dogs and I am very frusterated with the bad rap they are taking. They actually have a higher pass rate on the temperment test then Goldern Retrivers and Labrador Retrivers, if that tells you anything. I am sure there is the odd bad apple, but I would be willing to bet that a lot of the problem is the dog hasn't had the correct up bringing, or that the dog is being forced to live in a situation that is not ideal for it.

People are selfish creatures and expect every dog breed to adapt to the human's situation--and then they blame the dog if the dog doesn't do so well. Each breed has its own characteristics and people need to do research on their potential breed and decided whether or not the can offer that dog the kind of home most suited to its personality and breeding. Dogs depend upon humans to properly care for their needs. Too many people get all angry when their dog isn't meeting their own needs, but don't even think that perhaps they are not giving their dogs the proper training and living situation that they need.

Thank you for giving a deserving pittie a great home! We need more people like you in this world.

Answer 3

Contrary to what most think, YES, there are some dogs that are born with an instinct toward aggression. How could there not be, when several types were selectively bred just for this purpose.
People who want to own pit bulls need to do a thorough investigation of the line from which they descended. Some are sweet as lambs and others will be aggressive even if their owners never encourage this or abuse them in any way. When choosing a puppy from a herding/utility category, it is best not to choose the largest, most dominant male. It is also very unwise to adopt them before 10-12 weeks, as they learn bite inhibition from the mother dog during this period. I had a Blue Heeler for many years who was extremely aggressive toward everyone except the family (which he adored). I had to watch him like a hawk to make sure he never injured anyone - and believe me I am the utmost of animal lovers. I have since owned two other Heelers, neither of them being overly aggressive. So, just like people, there are genetic predispositions that may eclipse your best and most loving efforts of correction.

Answer 4

I hate breedists (like racists, only against dog breeds)... you cannot judge an entire breed on the actions of some dogs.

I believe it truly depends on the owner and how the dog is raised/handled/treated. Pits have no natural aggression towards humans; that is something that is instilled in them by (guess who!) humans!

People seem to forget that dogs, including our beloved Pit Bulls, are animals-- whether or not they are domesticated, they are still animals. They don't know right from wrong... they only know what they are taught (or in a lot of cases, aren't taught).

Pits get a bad rep and I think it is bogus... I said this in another answer, but there are hundreds of other dog attacks that don't make headlines... but because one Pit wasn't properly trained/handled, disaster struck. The media wants sensation and blood. The bite of a Pit Bull is of more interest than the bite of a Labrador. In May, a Labrador killed a man, producing only a small report in the newspaper. A Pit Bull killed a poor Yorkshire Terrier and made big headlines... it's very sad if you ask me.

Thank you for not giving up on your Pit and I'm glad to see how well everything worked out for you.

Answer 5

The dog was bred to fight so obviously the instinct is always there but I do believe that if a pitt is aggressive it is entirely the owners fault based on the dogs upbringing.

I have a couple of Staffordshire bulls the other day we were walking them without leads, the young female can be a bit silly at times and tends to jump up at people so when we saw a family approach us we put her on the lead, the male is so soft so we didn't put him on the lead as we were in a large field at the time. When the family were passing the man commented that with all that is going on at the moment with pitt bulls that our dogs should be on leads. For a start they are not even pitts and if they were a bit aggressive would I really have them running free.

People annoy me because any breed of dog can bite but its only the bully types that ever reach the news when they have attacked.
I got bitten once on the face by a rough collie but no-one ever hears about these attacks.

My dogs are great around kids, live with cats and a parrot because they have been treated with love, respect and firm handling from the start. I'm still working on the female with the jumping up but she's still just a pup.

And well done to you for the progress you have made with your dog.

Answer 6

It is both. When a pitt bull is not bred for temperament it can defiantly contribute to the aggressive nature. And the owners are another. In proper socialization, training, or exercise can make pitty very aggressive. My best friend breeds quality pit bulls and there is not an aggressive bone in their bodies.

I honestly feel that when bad breeding practices stop, this bad reputation will stop. Good breeding means breeding for temperament, and also screening homes to make sure that your pit puppies do not go to these bad homes. Also providing constant support to the owner to ensure it grows up a healthy, happy, well behaved dog.

Answer 7

Congradulations!Everytime I say never it usually happens to me so be very careful.My husband and I spoke with a gentleman recently that had 2 sons 3 dogs a beautiful country home and all was well.He began his story by telling us about 2 Pits that he had rasised since puppies together and never had an incident of any kind .They even intergrated into the family a cocker spaniel that became a Happy Family member,"Never" any problems whatsoever.The Pits were 4 yrs old and the cocker 2 yrs old.Big Back yard for all to play in and they all came in and out of the home.This man who lived in this above average Home said he would have bet everything he owned that his Pits were the worlds exception of the bad reputations they have had.He cried and told us of his love ,Trust,and devotion to his 3 dogs.One afternoon he and his wife came home from town and the Pits had killed the Family Cocker Spaniel and each one was playing tug of war with what was left of the cocker!With tears in his eyes hetold us he just went to the gun cabinet and shot both of them on the spot.He said never in a million years would he have even dreamed such a horrible thing could have happened.It had been over 5 years since that had happened and this grown man was still not over this horrible ordeal.They had just decided to move forward and get another pet after all these years.Be cautious and do not try to second guess your Pits everyone is not wrong about these dogs .People are not just making up these gross stories for fun.Beware and be careful I will get eat up someday because I am not afraid of dogs!I am Lucky but someday I will get out of my car and get a leg torn off I just am not afraid of Dogs .I have noticed that Dogs Know that and Biting Dogs that see I am not afraid never even offer to bite me.Oh well be safe and God Bless!!!

Answer 8

I honestly believe that much of it has to do with their owner. As an owner you need to correct unwanted behavior. You tried and take your dog obedience classes. They are great. Your dog is able to socialize with other dogs, and your dog learns to see you as the person in charge.

From what you said about the previous owner of that dog, I would definitely say it has a lot do with the owner. Dogs can seem aggressive when playing, and they can seem aggressive when they do become territorial. Some dogs are more possessive of their area than others. I don't have a pittie, but I have a mixed dog. Tons of people love my dog, but if you come to my home, and my dog doesn't know you... He will continuously bark at you, until my parents or I come into the situation to let him know that it is okay. My dog is territorial...

Answer 9

Pit Bulls aren't for everyone, but I've known some that were lovely dogs and they all had great loving homes. Just like with any dog, there is the potential for a pit bull to bite and they can inflict a lot of damage because of the way they're built. I really think their owners bear a great responsibility for how the dogs turn out.

Answer 10

It is the owner.
Are humans born bad?

No they aren't it is a learned behavior.

If someone teaches the dog to be bad than the dog will be bad.

Sometimes inexperience alone is the cause of a dog turning bad.
If you don't train the dog properly than it could be out of control.
I have a pit and have had 2 others in my life time and none of them were bad.

Answer 11

You are more likely to be murdered by a family member than have a dog "turn on you suddenly with no provocation". Trainers always know there is more to the story when someone claims a dog turned for no reason. There is always a reason.

Pitbulls are great dogs, bred to be loyal and trustworthy with people, bred to have a lower flashpoint where they go to fight with other dogs (and some other animals).

Those tendencies can be mitigated by positive training and socialization. It is vital pitties only be trained with positive reinforcement. Pits are actually pretty "soft" dogs, it doesn't take much to give a correction. If I sigh out loud my pittie girl shuts down during Agility.

If you use force to train, your dog will learn to use force to get what he wants.

Pits are great dogs.